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Posts Tagged ‘smoking’

How Much Will Quitting Smoking Help Your Teeth?

Monday, July 31st, 2017

shutterstock_114112198Most of us associate quitting smoking with improved lung and heart health, but it can also have major benefits for your mouth. If you’re hoping to quit smoking, here are just some of the benefits you could enjoy:

Cleaner, brighter teeth: smoking is one of the leading causes of tooth discolouration due to the presence of chemicals such as tar in cigarettes. If you quit, you can reduce the risk of further staining and look forward to a brighter, cleaner smile.

Fresher breath: smoking is a common cause of bad breath. If you’re self-conscious about your breath or you’re keen to make a positive first impression when you meet people for the first time, giving up smoking is an incredibly positive step.

Lower risk of gum disease: smoking reduces blood flow, which increases the risk of gum disease. By giving up smoking, you can lower your risk of gum disease and improve your body’s ability to heal after treatment.

Reduced oral cancer risk: smoking is the most significant risk factor for oral cancer, a type of cancer that has become increasingly common in the UK over the course of the last decade. Smoking is particularly dangerous when combined with drinking alcohol. If you drink frequently and smoke, you’re more than 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers who don’t drink.

Giving up smoking is not easy, but it does bring incredible benefits for your teeth and gums, as well as your general health. If you’re thinking of trying to quit, we can help, so give us a call now!

Top Five Habits to Kick to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Friday, March 10th, 2017

shutterstock_281101001Bad habits can put your dental health at risk. If you’re keen to protect your pearly whites for as long as possible, here are five habits to try and kick as soon as possible:

  1. Smoking: smoking is often associated with an increased risk of respiratory illnesses and lung cancer, but it can also contribute to oral health problems. Smoking discolours your teeth and elevates your risk of bad breath and gum disease. It’s also the most potent risk factor for mouth cancer. If you’d like to try and quit smoking, we are here to help, so don’t hesitate to call in and see us.
  2. Biting your nails: biting your nails isn’t just damaging for your nails. It’s also bad for your teeth. Biting down on hard nails can damage your teeth. There’s a risk that bacteria from under the nails can get into the mouth.
  3. Grinding your teeth: if you grind your teeth, you may damage them and increase your risk of TMJ disorder. This is a group of symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joint, the joint that joins the skull to the lower jaw. If you grind your teeth at night, we can provide you with a bite guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
  4. Indulging your sweet tooth: if you’ve got a sweet tooth, giving into cravings can have serious implications for your health. Sugary foods increase the risk of acid wear and decay.
  5. Avoiding the dentist: if you can’t remember the last time you went to the dentist, you could be putting your teeth and gums at risk. Patients who attend regular checks are up to 60 percent less likely to develop decay and gum disease.

Banish Bacteria Before It Causes Dental Disaster And Halitosis

Saturday, October 18th, 2014

595603_blogThere are some bacteria, which are essential for good health, but others are downright nasty and we need to banish them before they contribute to dental disasters.

Good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the best form of defence against harmful bacteria. With an effective regime of brushing and flossing, you can maximise your chances of good oral health. Ideally, you should brush every morning and evening for at least 2-3 minutes each time and floss daily; it’s important to do this to remove bacteria from your mouth and reduce the risk of plaque forming. Plaque is a sticky film, which is made when bacteria, food debris and saliva come together. Plaque is the most common cause of gum disease and decay.

Bacteria and halitosis

Halitosis (bad breath) is a very common problem, which is almost always associated with oral bacteria. When bacteria feed, they give off gases, which smell very unpleasant and this is why you get bad breath. Smoking and taking some types of medication can also increase the risk of halitosis. The best way to prevent bad breath is to stick to a good daily oral hygiene regime and to chew sugar-free gum after eating. It is also highly beneficial to see a dental hygienist in addition to your routine dental check-ups.

Dental checks

Dental appointments are really important because they enable your dentist to keep tabs on the mouth and identify any dental issues at an early stage. Dentists can then arrange any relevant treatment and they can also give the mouth a good clean, which removes surface stains to give the teeth a healthy white glow.

Protect Your Health With A Visit To Our Hygienist

Tuesday, October 14th, 2014

585986_blogIf you’re determined to keep dental disease in check and preserve perfectly white, shiny pearly whites, we strongly recommend seeing one of our amazing dental hygienists.

About dental hygienists

Our incredible dental hygienists are expertly trained to provide treatments to prevent oral disease and promote good oral health. With intensive cleaning treatments and preventative services, such as fluoride varnish and sealants, our hygienists are on hand to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Our treatments include preventative treatments, gum disease treatment, scale and polish and surface stain removal and information and advice about issues such as oral hygiene at home, giving up smoking and diet.

Why should I see a dental hygienist?

Even if you have healthy teeth and a clean bill of oral health, it can be hugely beneficial to see a dental hygienist. Dental hygienists are experts in oral hygiene and the treatments they provide can help to keep dental disease at bay and ensure your teeth look bright and beautiful. Regular treatments rid the mouth of potentially harmful bacteria and polish the teeth and remove stains to make them sparkle and shine.

We recommend annual sessions for patients with good oral health and more frequent sessions for patients who have gum disease or bad breath or a high risk of developing dental problems.

You can now book directly with our dental hygienists, rather than being referred by a dentist; simply call our reception team!

Suffer From The Bad Night Blues? We Offer Apnoea Support

Monday, September 8th, 2014

1850411_blogNothing makes you feel better than a really good night’s sleep, but sadly, a large proportion of people struggle to get a quality night’s sleep on a regular basis. Sometimes, sleep disorders are to blame and in some cases, we may be able to help.

We can provide support and advice for patients who suffer from sleep apnoea and snoring to help you and the people around you enjoy peaceful nights.

What is the sleep apnoea blues?

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder, which affects your breathing; in severe cases, it can be extremely dangerous and may even be life-threatening. It is very important that sleep apnoea is managed diligently and patients receive the appropriate care.

With sleep apnoea, breathing is disrupted by a blockage in the airway and this means that the individual can struggle to breathe properly.

For patients with sleep apnoea, we work with local doctors to provide advice and support.

Treatment for sleep apnoea

There are various treatments available for sleep apnoea and often, treatment depends on the severity of the case. In minor cases, making lifestyle changes can have a very positive impact and we are able to offer advice about diet and nutrition and giving up smoking. Other changes may also include cutting down on alcohol consumption and increasing the amount of exercise you do.

In severe cases, it may be necessary to wear a mask to help you breathe during the night; this helps to prevent blockages in the airway.

Don’t Let The Horror Of Halitosis Take You In Its Clutches

Saturday, August 23rd, 2014

2143132_blogDo you feel self-conscious when you stand up to present at work or meet somebody for the first time? Are you conscious that you have bad breath but you don’t know what to do about it? At City Dental Leeds we have experience in treating bad breath and our excellent dentists and dental hygienists will soon have you feeling confident and smelling fresh.

What causes halitosis?

Halitosis is the medical name for bad breath. Most people have experience of bad breath in the morning or after eating particularly strong foods, but if you suffer from odorous breath on a regular basis, there may be an underlying cause. In most cases, bad breath is linked to bacteria collecting in the mouth, which results from poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day and floss, bacteria are allowed to gather and collect in the mouth and reproduce and this causes unpleasant odours, as they release gases when they feed.

Smoking and taking medication can also contribute to bad breath.

How we can help

Bad breath doesn’t need to set you back; with our powerful cleaning treatments and professional advice, we can help you to overcome these problems and enable you to face day to day life with confidence.

The best course of action for bad breath is usually regular hygiene sessions, which are provided by our incredible dental hygienists. Hygienists offer cleaning treatments, which are designed to blitz the mouth and rid bacteria, leaving your mouth feeling lovely and clean and your teeth looking sparkly and smooth.

We can also offer advice about brushing and flossing at home and we are on hand to make recommendations about oral hygiene products.

You Don’t Have To Suffer Bad Breath Any Longer Here In Leeds

Sunday, June 29th, 2014

1850575_blogBad breath is a problem, which troubles us all from time to time, but if you have bad breath on a regular basis and it’s starting to impact your day to day life, there may be an underlying reason and we can help! We will identify the cause and rectify the problem to make you feel more confident and ensure your breath smells lovely and fresh!

Why do I have bad breath?

Bad breath can be caused by many different things, but it is most commonly linked to poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush your teeth on a regular basis, bacteria gather in your mouth and when these bacteria feed, they let off gases, which have an unpleasant odour.

Bad breath can also be linked to smoking, taking some types of medicine and eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic and spicy dishes.

How can City Dental help?

At City Dental we have an experienced team, which has expertise in dealing with bad breath. Our amazing hygienists can provide a range of treatments, as well as advice and information about oral hygiene, diet and brushing tips, to help banish bad breath for good. We often recommend seeing a dental hygienist on a regular basis if you are prone to bad breath. Hygiene treatments are designed to deep clean the mouth, remove bacteria and reduce the risk of oral disease. You will also feel really refreshed after treatment and your teeth will feel smooth and look a lot cleaner and brighter.

We also recommend trying to avoid triggers, such as strong-smelling foods and we can also help with giving up smoking.

Many people find it beneficial to chew gum after eating and we recommend sugar-free gum. Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva production, which cleanses the mouth, as well as giving you fresh smelling breath.

Don’t Dismiss Those Bleeding Gums And Seek A Solution With A Leeds Dentist

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014

2839654_blogIf you’ve watched television of late you may have noticed adverts warning about the dangers of bleeding gums and we encourage all our patients to look out for signs of gum disease. The advert states that you wouldn’t ignore bleeding from any other part of your body, so why ignore your gums and this is a useful message. The problem with gum disease is that it gets worse the longer it is left untreated and eventually causes irreversible damage in your mouth.

Gum disease is preventable, but that doesn’t stop it from being extremely common. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among British adults. It is easy to prevent gum disease with good oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices, but it is also important to be aware of the warning signs, so that you are able to act quickly.

If you have bleeding gums, this may be nothing to worry about, but it’s always best to see your dentist and get checked out. If you do have early signs of gum disease, your dentist can treat it before it gets any worse and causes permanent damage. Other signs to look out for include swollen, tender and red gums. Most people tend to notice bleeding when they brush their teeth.

City Dental dentists and dental hygienists work together to treat gum disease and free you from pain as quickly as possible. As well as providing hygiene treatments, they can also offer advice about oral hygiene and giving up smoking. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease.

Our Dentists Are Trained To Screen For Mouth Cancer In Leeds

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

383291_blogMouth cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK and the number of cases has almost doubled in the last decade. Our dentists are trained to spot the early warning signs of oral cancer to ensure early intervention and increase he chances of survival as much as possible.

Sadly, the prognosis for many patients diagnosed with oral cancer is poor at the moment and this is almost always due to the fact that cases are diagnosed at a late stage, when there is a distinct possibility that cancer has spread through the body. Cases are diagnosed late because most people are unaware of the symptoms they should be looking out for. Most people know to see their doctor if they feel a lump or notice an abnormal swelling, but surveys show that the majority of people are unaware of the warning signs of oral cancer.

We carry out oral cancer checks during routine check-ups and we also offer oral cancer screening, which enables us to use the latest technology to spot changes in tissue that are not visible to the eye. We also encourage our patients to see their dentist on a regular basis and to look out for the following warning signs: red or white patches in the mouth, swelling in the throat and ulcers that take more than 2 weeks to heal.

With early diagnosis, we can help more people to survive oral cancer. Book your screening appointment or a routine check-up now!

The problems of Smoking and Gum Disease in the City of Leeds

Sunday, December 1st, 2013

835423_blogIt is quite easy to fall foul of smoking in a hectic place like the city of Leeds and a fag or two can often calm you down through the stress caused by a busy day. Of course, we all know that smoking is not a good habit to have and aside from the damage it does to the body, it also messes up your oral health as well. When you have a puff or two, it has the tendency to dry up your saliva in the mouth: saliva is the natural element that helps to fight off bacteria and disease and without it, your mouth becomes vulnerable to attack, and if dry, one of the worst problems that can crop-up is gum disease. Both smoking and gum disease love each other and if you have gum disease, smoking will help in ruining your oral health. What comes from this is not just the threat to your teeth; gum disease can cripple the vital organs in your body and over time, you will be putting the health of your body on the line. Giving up smoking is hard- but try and fight it, or at least attempt to cut down if you are having problems with your teeth and gums. Talk to your dentists about any issues that you have on this topic because they will be able to proffer very good advice on tackling these problems: smoking seriously impedes any healing process when overcoming gum disease.